Reclosable container and blanks therefor

ABSTRACT

A paperboard blank for a flip-top container, a flip-top container and a method of assembly are disclosed. The containers feature an initially sealed flip-top separable along perforations accessibly disposed on the front panel of the container. When opened, the flip-top exposes an access cutout of an integral internal collar which increases the structural strength of the container at certain critical locations. Each side of the container is provided with a latch having mating portions which are detachably connected and thus positively aligned during all of the container assembly steps to eliminate registry problems between the mating portions of the latches.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,910,486

Stone Oct. 7, 1975 1 RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Orison W. Stone, Rt. 17, New

Haven, Vt. 05472 22] Filed; Apr. 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No; 458,188

[52] US. Cl. 229/51 TC; 229/44 CB [51] Int. Cl. B65D 5/54; S65D 17/00 [58] Field of Search 229/16 A, 51 TC, 44 CB, '229/17 R, 44 R, 7 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,282,492 1l/l966 Vergobbi .f 229/51 TC 3,295,742 1/1967 Coe 229/51 TC X 3,426,956 2/1969 Frohlicher 229/17 3,432,090 3/1969 Engel 229/51 TC 3,616,987 11/1971 Krzyzanowski.... 229/51 TC R26,47l 10/1968 Meyers 229/51 TC Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorehead Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [57] ABSTRACT A paperboard blank for a flip-top container, a flip-top container and a method of assembly are disclosed. The containers feature an initially sealed flip-top separable along perforations accessibly disposed on the front panel of the container. When opened, the fliptop exposes an access cutout of an'integral internal collar which increases the structural strength of the container at certain critical locations. Each side of the container is provided with a latch having mating portions which are detachably connected and thus positively aligned during all of the container assembly steps to eliminate registry problems between the mating portions of the latches.

10 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent 0a. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,910,486

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,910,486

H mg US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet4 0f5 3,910,486

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,910,486

r J 6 I 6 f i g- \Qulsasa 0 7 M m 6 a 8 FIG 10 \k llii iii: 4

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER AND BLANKS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to both side and top filled flip-top paperboard containers, the blanks therefor, and method of assembly. More particularly, this invention is directed to an initially sealed flip-top container openable along exposed perforation lines to expose an access cutout of an integral internal collar and having positively prealigned latching surfaces, desirably on both side panels of the container.

2. Description of the Prior Art Pcrforations are commonly utilized in the construction of initially sealed flip-top paperboard containers. Such perforations, however, are usually disposed in an inaccessible position such as an under-turned part of the flip-top. Such positioning of the perforations is inconvenient insofar as a consumer is concerned since it precludes the use of a thumbnail or other tool when the perforations are particularly resistant to rupture. In addition, the inability to use a thumbnail on the perforations in opening the container may require sufficient inward pressure to damage the contents of the container or to rupture an inner liner.

The use of perforations is necessary for flip-top container construction and, in the absence of a panel underlying or overlying such perforations, there is a substantial risk of leakage or product deterioration as a result of exposure to the air. The additional panels necessary to obviate this problem greatly increases the amount of paper necessary to form the blank.

Flip-top containers are often used in the marketing of tightly packed commodities. In such an application, these generally used containers have frequently been provided with a recess in the front of the container to provide ready access to the contents thereof. Typically, such a recess requires a cutout to achieve the access and an additional panel to provide the paper necessary for the manufacturers glue seam. This results in the waste of paperboard material in forming the blank and may require additional steps in the container forming process.

The flip-top construction generally requires an internal collar to lend structural strength to the container at the top thereof. This internal collar has generally been formed from additional panels at the side or bottom of the blank. A substantial reduction in the paper requirements of the blank may be achieved by the location of the internal collar panels on the blank immediately adjacent the area where it will be utilized in the assembled container, i.c., at the top of the blank.

Various latching surfaces have been provided between a container and a flip-top hingedly attached thereto. Considering that automated machinery is normally employed to form the containers, it is apparent that cooperating latching surfaces of the flip-top and the associated container must be provided with loose tolerances to accommodate potential misalignment therebetween during formation of the container. Loose tolerances necessarily reduce the effectiveness of the latch to the annoyance of consumers. On the other hand, tight tolerances often accentuate the misalignment and poor registry of the cooperating latching surfaces as a result of which the latching surfaces may not cooperate to hold the flip-top closed on the container and result in spoilage.

The assembly of paperboard containers from paperboard blanks often requires specialized and expensive glueing machinery and this is particularly true with the more complex fliptop type of container. Since conventional glueing machinery is best suited for straight line or spot glueing, paperboard containers formed from blanks that require only conventional, or easily modifiable, glueing operations are desirable.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to obviate these and other deficiencies of known flip-top containers and to provide a novel method of assembling flip-top paperboard containers with conventional glueing machinery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel flip-top container in which the sealing perforations are readily accessible to the consumer on the front panel thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top container having an efficiently designed internal collar facilitating access to the contents of the container while providing increased structural rigidity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top container blank in which the internal collar is located adjacent the flip-top portion thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top container having positively aligned latching surfaces to hold the flip-top closed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top container in which a pair of positively prealigned edges are disposed between each side of the container and the corresponding portion of the flip-top.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top container which includes an integral and internally disposed collar providing access to the contents of the container while underlying or overlying all perforations.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel flip-top blank in which a glue flap for connecting the detachable portion of the front panel of the container to the fliptop is formed in the process of cutting an integral collar to define a finger access recess therein.

These and many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains when the appended claims are read in conjunction with the detailed description of preferred embodiments and the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an open paperboard container according to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an open paperboard container according to a second embodiment of this inven tion;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a paperboard blank for the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the blank of FIG. 3 after a step in container formation;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a semi-formed container of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the container of the first embodiment with a side partially closed;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the container of the first embodiment prior to the last glueing step;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a sealed container of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a paperboard .blank for the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of the blank of FIG. 11 after a step in container formation;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a semi-formed container of the second embodiment;

FIG; I4 is a pictorial View of the container of the second embodiment with the bottom end closed;

FIG. 15 is a pictorial view ofa sealed container of the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view taken along line 16-l6 of FIG. 15; y 4 7 FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view taken along line I7l7 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 18 isa pictorial view of a modified flip-top for a paperboardc'ontainer according to this invention.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Illustrated in FIG. I is an open paperboard container which includes a hingedly mounted flip-top 32. At the top of each side panel of the container 30, a positively prealigned latching means 34 may be provided for releasably detaining the flip-top 32 in a closed configuration (see FIG. 8). The open container 30 of FIG.,

I also depicts a finger access cutout 36 which is exposed when the flip-top 32 is raised or opened.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of a paperboard container 38 having a hingedly mounted fliptop 40 which may be releasably detained in a closed configuration by positively prealigned latching means 42 disposed at the top of each side panel. The fliptop 40 also exposes a finger access cutout 44 when the container 30 is opened.

In FIG. 3 a blank 48 for the formation of a side filled flip-top container is depicted. Typically, blanks for the side filled container 30 may be simultaneously die cut and creased with the detachable portions of the container typically formed by conventional apparatus.

The blank 48 includes a generally rectangular front panel 50 which may comprise a generally rectangular detachable portion 52and a generally rectangular container portion 54. The detachable portion 52 may be separated from the container portion 54 along a parting line 56 which may include one or more sections of perforations 58 for holding the detachable portion 52 and the containerportion 54 together.

Extending along the top edge 70 of the detachable portion 52, a generally trapezoidal attachment flap 74 is provided. The attachment flap 74 is integrally connected to the detachable portion 52 and provides a tachable tab 66is' preferably connected tothe upper portion of the corresponding side panel 60, 62 by one or more bridges 68. In addition, each detachable tab 66 may be integrally connected to a corresponding lateral edge of the detachable portion 52.

The combination of the perforations 58 and the bridges 68 serves to positively prcalign the fixed latching tabs 64 with res ect to the detachable latching tabs 66 while permitting close dimensional tolerances therebetween; The bridges 68 may also be used to accommodate and relieve any lateral stresses which tend to separate the detachable tabs 66 from the fixed tabs 64 in the forming operations.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 and preferably disposed adjacent the attachment flap 74 and both side illustrated in FIG..I. From FIG. 3 it is thus apparent that access cutout 36 does not result in the waste of any paperboard material from the blank 48.

The cut line 76 and the parting line 56 outline the detachable portion 52, the contiguous detachable flaps 66 and the attachment flap 74. While the cut line 76and. the parting line 56 may completely cut through the blank 48, in some applications it may be desirable to merely cut substantially through the blank 48 and thereby provide an integral surface which servesas a vapor barrier for the container.

Integrally connected to the bottom of front panel 50 may be a generally rectangular bottom panel 78. At each lateral edge of the bottom panel 78, a quadrilateral flap 80 may be utilized to provide continuity between the bottom panel 78 and one corresponding side panel 60, 62 when the container is formed and glued. Similarly, integrally connected to the bottom panel 78 may be a generally rectangular back panel 82 which may be provided with a generally trapezoidal flap 84 at each lateral edge. Each trapezoidal flap 84' seals the back panel 82 to a corresponding side panel 60, 62,

lower extremity of the blank 48. Ateach lateral edge,

of the top panel 86, a quadrilateral flap 88 may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding detachable latching tab 66 in an assembled container as will be explained subsequently in greater detail.

Having described the blank 48 for the first embodiment of the paperboard container, the fabrication of a flip-top container will now be discussed. As a first step,

an adhesive may be placed on the uppermost portion 96 of the blank 48 atthe upper extremity thereof. The portion 96 extends generally along the top edge of front panel 50 for a distance from the edge 70 at least equal to the distance between the edge 70 and the perforations 58 on the parting line 56.

The collar panel 72 may then be folded about the edge 70 and pressed against the front panel 50 and side panels 60, 62. It should thus be apparent that the positioning of glue on the collar panel 72 is designed to prevent adhesion between the detachable portion 52 and the collar panel 72. The configuration of the top portion of the blank 48 at this point is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the attachment surface 74 may be seen as projecting from the edge 70. In addition, it will be noted that the collar panel 72, when folded, defines the finger access cutout 36 which is outlined by the line 76 along which the attachment flap 74 was cut from the flat blank 48 of FIG. 3.

With the blank 48 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, a conventional straight line glueing machine may be used to apply a suitable adhesive to the under surface of the attachment flap 74 as shown in FIG. 4. After glue is applied to the abutment surface 74, the front panel 50 may be folded about the lower edge 94 thereof (see FIG. 3) such that the front panel 50 over lies the bottom panel 78 and a portion of the back panel 82. The top panel 86 may then be folded along the hinge line 90 such that the front edge 92 of the top panel 86 overlies the attachment flap 74 and effective bonding may take place therebetween. At this point, the configuration of the blank 48 is illustrated by FIG. 5. It is to be noted that FIG. 5 depicts a semi-formed blank 48 for a side filled paperboard container such would normally be supplied to a commodity manufacturer for filling and subsequent closing.

To close the side of a container, the semi-formed container illustrated in FIG. 5 is first squared up into a generally tubular configuration. Subsequently, (see FIG. 6) the flap 80 connected to the bottom panel 78 of the semi-formed blank may be folded 90 inwardly toward a corresponding open side. Next, the trapezoidal flap 84 extending from the back panel 82 may be folded 90 inwardly to partially overlap the flap 80. Glue may then be applied to the interior surface of side panel 62 with conventional glueing machinery. The side panel 62 may subsequently be folded 90 upwardly such that it overlies both the flap 80 and the trapezoidal flap 84 and is adhesively bonded to both.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the side filled container 30 is illustrated in position for the final glueing operation. Glue may be applied with conventional glueing machinery to the detachable latching tab 66. Glue repellant ink may first be applied to the upper portion of the side panel 60, 62 and to the fixed latching tab 64 so that glue may be applied to the entire area and produce adhesion only between the side flap 88 and the detach able latching tab 66. The glue may, of course, be applied to the side flap 88 or spot glueing techniques utilized to achieve the necessary adhesion between the side flap 88 and the detachable latching tab 66. After glue has been applied, the side flap 88 connected to the top panel 86 of the container 30 may be folded downwardly and pressed against the surface of detachable tab 66 for bonding thereto.

At the completion of the above described glueing operations, the side filled container 30 has its contents sealed therein and has the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8. From FIG. 8 is is apparent that the perforations 58 provided in the parting line 56 between the detachable portion 52 and front panel 50 are readily accessible to the ultimate consumer. i

To open the closed container 30, the perforations 58 on the front panel 50 must first be'broken. In situations where the perforations 58 are particularly resistant to breaking. the consumer may apply'a thumbnail or other suitable tool along the parting line 56 to sever the perforations 58. As the flip-top 32 is opened to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the bridge 68 of each side panel 60 (see FIG. 7) is torn as the detachable latching tab 66 is lifted therewith.

Since the detachable latching tab 66 is bonded to the side flap 88 of the top panel .86 during sealing of the container 30, positive alignment of the detachable latching tab 66 with the cooperating fixed latching tab 64 of side panel 60 is assured despite relatively wide tolerances in the container forming operation.

As may be seen from FIG. 9, the detachable latching tab 66 must be displaced laterally outwardly to clear the fixed latching tab 64 of side panel 60 when the fliptop 32 is opened. With reference to FIG. 10, the detachable latching tab 66 and the fixed latching tab 64 are shown for an open container 30. The detachable tab 66 is depicted in position internally of the flap 88 of theflip-top 32. It will be noted that the fixed latching tab 64 may pivot slightly outwardly around the top edge of side panel 62 by the virtue of its integral connection with the internally disposed collar panel 72.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an open end filled fiberboard container 38 that may include a conventional seal end bottom is illustrated. To fabricate the container 38 a die cut blank 100, as illustrated in FIG. 11, may be provided. Necessary cuts and perforations of the blank may be made in any suitably conventional manner. In some applications such as foodstuff packaging, it may be desirable to provide a vapor barrier for the container 38. Accordingly, certain cuts and perforations of the blank 100 may be incompletely made to permit a thin continuous surface to remain.

The blank 100 includes a centrally disposed generally rectangular front panel 102 which comprises a generally rectangular detachable portion 104 and a generally rectangular container portion 106. Disposed adjacent the top edge 128 of the detachable portion 104, a generally trapezoidal attachment flap 136 is provided. The attachment flap 136 facilitates subsequent assembly of a container from the blank 100.

The detachable portion 104 and the fixed portion 106 lie on opposite sides of a parting line 108 which preferably includes one or more perforated sections 110. It will be noted from FIG. 11 that the parting line 108 need not be straight and inay be provided with an offset which defines a generally trapezoidal lip 112 on the detachable portion 104.

Integrally connected to each lateral edge of the front panel 102 may be a side panel 114, 116. One side panel 116 may be provided at its other-lateral edge with glue tab 118 which facilitates fabrication of a semiformed container. Each side panel 114, 116 includes 2 top or upper portion 117 and is preferably provided at its top edge with a generally trapezoidal detachable latching tab 120 and a generally trapezoidal fixed latching tab 122. The detachable latching tab 120 may be releasably connected to the. upper portion 117 of the side panel 114, 116 by at least one bridge 126 to ac commodate limited transverse movement of the detachable latching tab 120 with respect to the corresponding side panel 114, 116 during the containei aligned with respect to the corresponding detachable latching tab 120 and may be provided with a bridge 12 to temporarily maintain a connection therebetwccn. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the fixed latching tab 122 may be spaced from the upper portion 117 of the corresponding side panel 114, 116.

Disposed adjacent to the top edge 128 of both side panels 114, 116 and the attachment flap 136, a collar panel 130 is provided. The collar panel is integrally connected to the upper portion 1 17 of each side panel 114, 116 and to an edge of eachfixed latching tab 122. The upper edge of the blank and the corresponding edge of the collarpanel may include a pair of rela-.

tively deep generally V-shaped notches 132. Each notch 132 may be positioned in general alignment with a lateral edge of the front panel 102 to facilitate folding of the container blank 100 will be described. It will be seen from FIG. 11 that the collar panel 130 and the attachment flap 136 are disposed on opposite sides of a cut line 134.

Integrally connected to a lateral edge of one side panel 114 may be a generally rectangular back panel 138. The top edge of the back panel 138 preferably comprises a hinge line 140 to which a generally rectangular top panel 142 is integrally connected. The lateral edges of the top panel 142 are preferably provided with a generally trapezoidal side flap 144 adapted for at,- tachment to a corresponding detachable tab 120. The uppermost edge 146 of the top panel 142 comprises the front edge of an end filled flip-top container as will later become apparent.

The front panel 102, the side panels 114, 116 and the back panel 138 may each be provided with a rectangular bottom flap 148 integrallyconnected to the bottom edge 150 thereof. The bottom flaps 148 may thus comprise a conventional seal end. Alternatively, other conventional bottom closures may be utilized.

The first step in the formation of a container from the blank 100 comprises folding the collar panel 130 downwardly to partially overlie the front panel 102 and the side panels 114, 116 along the top edge 128 thereof. Theblank 100 then resembles the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12 in which the attachment surface-l36 projects from the top edge 128.

The finger access cutout 44 of FIG. 2 may be most clearly seen in FIG. 12 to be defined by the cut line 134 of the collar panel 130. The portions of the collar panel 130 which overlie the side panels 114, 116 may be glued, or otherwise adhesively bonded, to the corre' sponding side panels 114, 116. However, it is to be noted that adhesion of the collar panel 130' to the respective panels 102, 112, 114 is not necessary to construct a container according to either embodiment of the invention herein disclosed.

Preferably, the notches 132 of the collar member 130 do not project above the parting line 108 between the detachable portion 104 and the container portion 106 of front panel 102.

Next, the glue tab 118 may be provided with a suitable adhesive on the under surface thereby by means of conventional glueing machinery. Subsequently, the

side panel 116 is folded along the lateral edge 115.

thereof into overlying relationship with respect to the front panel 102. Then, the back panel 138 is folded along the edge 152 contiguous with the side panel 114 such that the back panel 138 overlies the side panel 114. The portion of the back panel 138 adjacent the other edge 154 thereof is thus brought into an overlapping relationship with the surface of glue tab 118 and secured thereto. Accordingly, the container blank 100 comprises a flat semi-formed end filled container (see FIG. 13) which may be shipped to commodity manufacturers for subsequent filling and sealing.

Prior to filling, the semi-formed container is squared up. to a generally tubular configuration. The bottom may then be sealed in a conventional manner to provide a seal end carton having an open top. Alternatively, the flip-top end of the container 38 may be sealed first.

To seal the flip-top end ofthe container 38 (see FIG.

14), the top panel 142 and the side flaps 144 may be adhesively bonded to the container 138. T o accomplish this bonding, the top surface of attachment flap 136 may be provided withglue, or other suitable adhesive. by a conventional straight line glueing machine. The portion of the top panel 142 adjacent the front edge 146 may then be brought into overlapping engagement with the attachment flap 136 for adhesive bonding therebetween.

Subsequently, glue may be applied to the detachable. latching tabs 120 disposed on each side panel 1 14,1 16 of the container 38. As discussed above in connection with the sealing of the sidefilled container, glue may be applied byconventional spot glueing apparatus or by inking the portions of the side panel which are not to receive glue. The configuration of the container 38 resembles FIG. 15 when the side flaps 144 have been bonded thereto.

The fixed latching tab 122 and the associated detachable latching tab 120 on each side panel of the container 38 comprise the positively prealigned latching means 42 generally illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 16 best illustrates the relative positioning of the fixed latching tab 122 and the associated detachable latching tab 120 when the top of a container 38 is closed and when the container 38 is first sealed.

The container 38 of FIG. 2 initially opened in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The relationship between the.

hinge line 162 also shown on the blank illustrated inv FIG. 3. The necessary separation between the two portions 164 and 166 of the side flaps of the flip-top may be achieved through the use of perforations along the line 168 of the blank illustrated in FIG. 3.

With this modification, it is also desirable to modify the shape of the fixed latching tab to conform to the shape generally indicated in FIG. 18,, but the container forming process may be the same as that earlier described. The necessity for glue repellant ink may thereby be obviated.

While the two embodiments of the invention herein described illustrate differently proportional containers, the proportions of the containers are not intended to be limiting. Similarly, the preferred positioning of the detachable portion is on the wider'side panel, but it may also be positioned on the narrower side panel. The preference for positioning on the wider panel is due, in

part, to the improved support which the narrower panel provides for bonding of the side flaps.

in addition, while the panels described above have been referred to as front, back", side, top", and bottom", those adjectival designations are in no way meant to be limiting. Accordingly, the panel designated front may alternatively be thought of as a firsf panel. Similarly, the side panels may be considered second" or third panels respectively; the bottom panel may be considered a fourth" panel. Likewise, the remaining panels comprising a blank may be assigned a suitable ordinal number designation.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention, a flip-toppaperboard container that substantially satisfies the objects and advantages set forth above. Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, variations, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing and the appended claims. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such alternatives, modifications, variations and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, be embraced thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. A paperboard blank for a paperboard container comprising:

a front panel which includes a detachable portion and an attachment flap integrally connected to said detachable portion at the upper extremity of said front panel;

a pair of side panels, each side panel being integrally connected to said front panel and including a detachable tab in the upper portion thereof, the.

upper portion of one of said side panels including a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tabs of that side panel;

a collar panel disposed adjacent said attachment flap and the upper portion of both of said side panels, said collar being integrally connected to the upper portion of both of said side panels and to said fixed latching tab;

a bottom panel integrally connected to said front panel;

a back panel integrally connected to said bottom panel; and,

a top panel integrally connected to said back panel,

said top panel having at least one integrally con-,

nected side flap adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.

2. The paperboard blank of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of both of said side panels includes a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tab of that side panel;

wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs; and,

wherein said top panel includes two side flaps, each of said side flaps being adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.

3. A paperboard blank for a paperboard container comprising:

a frontpanel which includes a detachable portion and an attachment flap integrally connected to said detachable portion at the upper extremity of said front panel;

a pair of side panels, each side panel being integrally connected to said front panel and including a de I tachable tab in the upper portion thereof, the upper portion of one of said side panels including a fixed latching tab reniovably connected to the detachable tab of that side panel;

a collar panel disposed adjacent said attachment flap and the upper portion of both of said side panels, said collar panel being integrally connected to the upper portion of both of said side panels and to said fixed latching tab;

I a back panel integrally connected to one of said side panels; and,

a top panel integrally connected to said back panel,

said top panel having at least one integrally connected side flap adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.

4. The paperboard blank of claim 3 wherein the upper portion of both of said side panels includes a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tab of that side panel;

wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs; and,

wherein said top panel includes two side flaps, each of said side flaps being adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said at tachment flap for attachment thereto.

5. A side filled, flat glued, flip-top paperboard container comprising:

a first panel including a detachable portion;

second and third panels integrally connected to op posite sides of said first panel, both of said second and third panels including a detachable tab at one end thereof, said second and third panels having a fixed latching tab detachably connected to the detachable tab;

an attachment flap integrally connected to the de tachable portion of said first panel;

a collar panel integrally connected to said second and third panels and to said fixed latching tab, said collar panel being disposed adjacent said attachment flap; and,

a fourth panel integral with said first panel and having end flaps, each of said end flaps being adapted to overlap and be secured to one of said detachable tabs when said fourth pane] is secured to said attachment flap.

6. The side filled, flat glued, flip-top paperboard container of claim 5 wherein said third panel includes a fixed latching tab detachably connected to one of said detachable tabs; and,

wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs.

7. In a paperboard container including a front panel,

a pair of side panels, a back panel, a bottom panel and a top panel hingedly connected to the back panel, the improvement comprising:

an internally disposed collar panel integrally connected to both of said side panels; and,

cutout of said collar panel and secured to-said top panel. 9. The paperboard container of claim Sincluding: latching means for releasably latching said top panel in a closed configuration. said latching means comprising: a fixed latching tab integral with one of said pair of side panels; and,

a pair of side panels, a back panel, a bottom panel and a top panel hingedly connected to the back panel, the 10 improvement comprising:

an internally disposed collar panel integrally cona detachable tab detachably secured to said fixed latching tab and secured to said top panel.

said latching means further comprises:

10. The paperboardcontainer of claim 9 wherein,

nected to both of said side panels, said collar panel having a cutout; and, I

said front panel including a detachable portion which overlies a portion of said collar, said detachable portion including an attachment flap defined by the a second fixed latching tab integral with the other of said pair of side panels; and. a detachable .tab detachably secured to said second fixed latching tab and secured to said top panel. 

1. A paperboard blank for a paperboard container comprising: a front panel which includes a detachable portion and an attachment flap integrally connected to said detachable portion at the upper extremity of said front panel; a pair of side panels, each side panel being integrally connected to said front panel and including a detachable tab in the upper portion thereof, the upper portion of one of said side panels including a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tabs of that side panel; a collar panel disposed adjacent said attachment flap and the upper portion of both of said side panels, said collar being integrally connected to the upper portion of both of said side panels and to said fixed latching tab; a bottom panel integrally connected to said front panel; a back panel integrally connected to said bottom panel; and, a top panel integrally connected to said back panel, said top panel having at least one integrally connected side flap adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.
 2. The paperboard blank of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of both of said side panels includes a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tab of that side panel; wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs; and, wherein said top panel includes two side flaps, each of said side flaps being adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.
 3. A paperboard blank for a paperboard container comprising: a front panel which includes a detachable portion and an attachment flap integrally connected to said detachable portion at the upper extremity of said front panel; a pair of side panels, each side panel being integrally connected to said front panel and including a detachable tab in the upper portion thereof, the upper portion of one of said side panels including a fixed latching tab removably connecTed to the detachable tab of that side panel; a collar panel disposed adjacent said attachment flap and the upper portion of both of said side panels, said collar panel being integrally connected to the upper portion of both of said side panels and to said fixed latching tab; a back panel integrally connected to one of said side panels; and, a top panel integrally connected to said back panel, said top panel having at least one integrally connected side flap adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.
 4. The paperboard blank of claim 3 wherein the upper portion of both of said side panels includes a fixed latching tab removably connected to the detachable tab of that side panel; wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs; and, wherein said top panel includes two side flaps, each of said side flaps being adapted for attachment to one of said detachable tabs when said top panel is disposed in an overlying relationship with said attachment flap for attachment thereto.
 5. A side filled, flat glued, flip-top paperboard container comprising: a first panel including a detachable portion; second and third panels integrally connected to opposite sides of said first panel, both of said second and third panels including a detachable tab at one end thereof, said second and third panels having a fixed latching tab detachably connected to the detachable tab; an attachment flap integrally connected to the detachable portion of said first panel; a collar panel integrally connected to said second and third panels and to said fixed latching tab, said collar panel being disposed adjacent said attachment flap; and, a fourth panel integral with said first panel and having end flaps, each of said end flaps being adapted to overlap and be secured to one of said detachable tabs when said fourth panel is secured to said attachment flap.
 6. The side filled, flat glued, flip-top paperboard container of claim 5 wherein said third panel includes a fixed latching tab detachably connected to one of said detachable tabs; and, wherein said collar panel is integrally connected to both of said fixed latching tabs.
 7. In a paperboard container including a front panel, a pair of side panels, a back panel, a bottom panel and a top panel hingedly connected to the back panel, the improvement comprising: an internally disposed collar panel integrally connected to both of said side panels; and, said front panel including a detachable portion which overlies a portion of said collar panel, said side panels including a detachable tab, one of said side panels including a fixed latching tab integrally connected to the detachable tab of that side panel, and said top panel being secured to said detachable tabs.
 8. In a paperboard container including a front panel, a pair of side panels, a back panel, a bottom panel and a top panel hingedly connected to the back panel, the improvement comprising: an internally disposed collar panel integrally connected to both of said side panels, said collar panel having a cutout; and, said front panel including a detachable portion which overlies a portion of said collar, said detachable portion including an attachment flap defined by the cutout of said collar panel and secured to said top panel.
 9. The paperboard container of claim 8 including: latching means for releasably latching said top panel in a closed configuration, said latching means comprising: a fixed latching tab integral with one of said pair of side panels; and, a detachable tab detachably secured to said fixed latching tab and secured to said top panel.
 10. The paperboard container of claim 9 wherein said latching means further comprises: a second fixed latching tab integral with the other of said pair of side panels; and, a deTachable tab detachably secured to said second fixed latching tab and secured to said top panel. 